Bagels

What you need:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active yeast
• 3 quarts boiling water
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• cooking spray
• 1 egg white
• 1 Tablespoon water
• Optional for toppings: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced onion or garlic, sea salt, cinnamon and sugar.

What to do:

Place water, salt, sugar, flour and yeast in the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting. [see instructions below for bread machine impaired]

When cycle is complete, let dough rest on a lightly floured surface. Meanwhile, in a large pot bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar.

Cut dough into 8 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a small ball. Flatten balls. Poke a hole in the middle of each with your thumb. Twirl the dough on your finger or thumb to enlarge the hole, and to even out the dough around the hole. Cover bagels with a clean cloth, and let rest for 10 minutes.

Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Carefully transfer bagels to boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, turning half way through. Drain briefly on clean towel. Arrange boiled bagels on baking sheet. Glaze tops with egg white wash, and sprinkle with your choice of toppings.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until well browned.

*For those without bread machines: Combine warm water and yeast and the 2 Tablespoons sugar, let sit until frothy [about 15 minutes]. Combine salt and flour in a bowl and slowly add it to yeast mixture until well combined. If using a stand mixer, run with dough hook to knead the dough well and then by hand for about 5 more minutes. If doing completely by hand you will need to knead your dough for much longer - about 15 minutes or more, until dough is smooth and elastic. Grease a large bowl [I spray it with cooking spray] and roll dough in oil. Cover with a towel and allow to rise to double its size. Then commence with instructions above after first set.